Lynn Jenkins

Lynn Jenkins
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Kansas's 2nd district
Assumed office
January 3, 2009
Preceded by Nancy Boyda
Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference
In office
January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2017
Leader John Boehner
Paul Ryan
Preceded by Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Succeeded by Doug Collins
37th Kansas State Treasurer
In office
January 13, 2003 – November 20, 2008
Governor Kathleen Sebelius
Preceded by Tim Shallenburger
Succeeded by Dennis McKinney
Member of the Kansas Senate
from the 20th district
In office
2000–2002
Preceded by Alicia Salisbury
Succeeded by Vicki Schmidt
Member of the Kansas House of Representatives
from the 52nd district
In office
1998–2000
Preceded by Tom Bradley
Succeeded by Lana Gordon
Personal details
Born (1963-06-10) June 10, 1963
Holton, Kansas, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s)
Scott Jenkins (m. 1983–2009)

Jerry Katzfey (m. 2019)
Children 2
Education Kansas State University
Weber State University (BS)
Website House website

Lynn Haag Jenkins (born June 10, 1963) is an American politician and member of the Republican Party who serves as the U.S. Representative for Kansas's 2nd congressional district, in office since 2009. As of the 114th Congress, she is the senior member of Kansas's House delegation and the Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference. She previously served as Kansas State Treasurer from 2003 to 2008, in the Kansas House of Representatives from 1999 to 2000 and the Kansas Senate from 2000 to 2002.[1][2] She is a founder of Maggie's List, a political action committee designed to increase the number of conservative women elected to federal public office.[3] She is also a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership which is a coalition of centrist Republicans.[4][5] Jenkins announced in January 2017 that she would not be running for re-election in 2018 and her current term in the House would be her last.[6]

Early life, education, and early political career

Jenkins was born in Holton, Kansas, and is a sixth-generation Kansan. She was raised on a dairy farm in Holton, where she attended high school. Later she graduated from Kansas State University and Weber State College with an accounting major and an economics minor. She is a Certified Public Accountant.[7]

Jenkins served for two years in the Kansas House of Representatives and for one term in the Kansas Senate. She was elected state treasurer in 2002, at which time she began serving in a number of organizations, including as president of the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST).

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2008

On April 4, 2007, Jenkins announced that she had filed papers with the Federal Election Commission as a first step of running for the U.S. House of Representatives for Kansas's 2nd congressional district.[8]

Her opponent in the Republican primary was former U.S. Representative Jim Ryun, who served five terms before being defeated in 2006 by prior Democratic incumbent Nancy Boyda, who ran for reelection. In the campaign between Jenkins and Ryun, he criticized her for having voted for tax increases while a state legislator, and she criticized him for having supported earmarks.[9] Jenkins was seen as more moderate than Ryun and received the support of the Republican Leadership Council. The primary was held on August 5, 2008. Jenkins won the Republican nomination by approximately 1,000 votes.[10] In the general election, Jenkins went on to defeat Boyda 51%–46%.[11]

2010

Jenkins won re-election to a second term, defeating Democratic candidate Cheryl Hudspeth, 63%–32%.[12]

2012

Jenkins won re-election to a third term, defeating Democratic candidate Tobias Schlingensiepen, 57%–39%.[13]

Tenure

Lynn Jenkins 2014

Jenkins was sworn into Congress in January 2009. During her first month in office, she introduced a bill that would "prohibit the use of funds to transfer enemy combatants [in] Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the United States Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas."

Jenkins favors making the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts permanent. She also favors eliminating the federal estate tax and the Alternative Minimum Tax.[14] She is a current signer of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.[15] Jenkins has been critical of "wasteful pork-barrel projects" and earmarks. Jenkins has claimed that Democratic representatives "tax and spend."[14]

Jenkins has denounced "unchecked illegal immigration" that "is wreaking havoc on our economic, legal, and national security interests."[14] She opposes "amnesty" (allowing illegal immigrants to become legal residents) and has called for an increase in border security " through increasing border agents, building additional fences, and utilizing technology."[14]

Jenkins claims that the oil price increases since 2003 are the result of "excess regulation." She supports drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and increased offshore drilling.[14]

In June 2013, after the United States farm bill failed again, Jenkins claimed she was disappointed in House Republicans, who were divided over the issue. She blamed the failure in the House on the inability to find common ground, stating that there are still too many Democratic and Republican members who allowed politics to trump progress.[16]

On February 28, 2014, Jenkins introduced the Suspending the Individual Mandate Penalty Law Equals Fairness Act (H.R. 4118; 113th Congress) into the House.[17] The bill would delay for one year the Affordable Care Act's penalty for not having insurance.[18]

On June 23, 2014, Jenkins introduced the Child Tax Credit Improvement Act of 2014 (H.R. 4935; 113th Congress), a bill that would amend the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the child tax credit.[19]

Jenkins was ranked as the 96th most bipartisan member of the U.S. House of Representatives during the 114th United States Congress (and the most bipartisan member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kansas) in the Bipartisan Index created by The Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy that ranks members of the United States Congress by their degree of bipartisanship (by measuring the frequency each member's bills attract co-sponsors from the opposite party and each member's co-sponsorship of bills by members of the opposite party).[20]

In December 2017, Jenkins voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.[21] Jenkins says the bill will provide tax relief to middle-class Americans and create more jobs. She also claims the bill will improve the economy and therefore will "pay down our national debt," despite the bill being anticipated to add over $1 trillion to the national debt.[22][23]

"The Great White Hope"

At a town hall on August 19, 2009, Jenkins commented on President Barack Obama's policies, saying, "Republicans are struggling right now to find the great white hope." Jenkins said to the crowd. "I suggest to any of you who are concerned about that, who are Republican, there are some great young Republican minds in Washington." Jenkins then gave the names of several young, white Republicans.[24] "The Great White Hope," a phrase that originated in the early 1900s, was a reference to any boxer whites hoped would finally defeat the World Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson, who was black. Jenkins later apologized, clarifying her remarks and saying that "I was explaining that there are some bright lights in the House, and I was unaware of any negative connotation. If I offended somebody, obviously I apologize."[24][25] Only one month earlier she had voted for a resolution urging President Obama to pardon black U.S. boxer Jack Johnson who was the target of an early 1900s racist plot and convicted in 1913 of violating the Mann Act by transporting his white girlfriend across state lines, which had text that explained it.[26] Jenkins responded by saying she had voted for the resolution without reading it first.[27]

Committee assignments

Jenkins was assigned to the Committee on Financial Services including the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises and the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity. She was named to the Ways and Means Committee when the Republicans gained control of the House for the 112th Congress.

Jenkins is a member of the Republican Study Committee,[28] the Republican Main Street Partnership, and the Tea Party Caucus.

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Jenkins has a mostly conservative voting record in Congress.[32] According to the Washington Examiner, "Jenkins, who had originally won her 2008 primary as a moderate, proved to be a fairly reliable conservative vote once she got to Congress (91 percent lifetime ACU rating and 73 percent Heritage Action in the last Congress)."[33] In 2013, the non-partisan National Journal gave Jenkins a score of 77% conservative and 23% liberal.[34]

Crime

In a 2000 survey from Vote Smart, Jenkins indicated that if elected, she would support the use of the death penalty in Kansas, contracting with private sector firms to build and/or manage state prisons, and prosecuting youth accused of a felony as adults.[35]

Energy and environment

Jenkins was in favor of the Keystone XL Pipeline, stating that it would create more jobs and enable the United States to compete against China. She supports federal funding for renewable energy.[35]

Jenkins has a zero rating from Environment America regarding her environment-related voting record. She opposes federal regulations of greenhouse gas emissions and considers it government overreach.[35]

Gun law

Jenkins has a 93 percent rating from the National Rifle Association regarding her gun-related voting record. She supports banning the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns except those used for hunting. She supports background checks at gun shows.[35]

Health care

Jenkins supports the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare").[35]

Economic issues

Jenkins believes cutting government spending will increase job opportunities and improve the economy.[35]

Jenkins opposes increasing taxes to work towards a balanced budget.[35]

Immigration

Jenkins has a zero rating from the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda for her immigration-related voting record. Jenkins believes that by "improving" the Mexico-United States border it will be "more difficult for illegal immigrants to obtain and use false identification documents." She supports installing technology and building additional fences along the border.[35] In 2008, Jenkins stated that she is against amnesty for undocumented immigrants.[36] Regarding DACA and the Dreamers, Jenkins released the following statement: "These children did not come to America on their own terms, they simply followed their parents. In the coming weeks, I look forward to working with my colleagues to create a permanent solution through the legislative process with input from Kansans in the 2nd District."[37]

Abortion

Jenkins has frequently received a zero percent score from NARAL Pro-Choice America and a 100 percent score from the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) for her voting record on abortion-related legislation. In 2009, Jenkins received a 25% score from NARAL and, in 2010, she received a 33% score from Planned Parenthood.[38] Also in 2009, Population Connection, which supports family planning, gave her a 100% scoring for her committee votes.[34] Her lowest score from NRLC is an 83% and she has mostly been give a 100% score.[34] She supports abortions only being used when pregnancy results from incest, rape or the woman's life is threatened. She opposes partial-birth abortions and federal funding for organizations who provide abortions. She supports providing buffer zones around abortion clinics for protesters to demonstrate.[35]

During her 2007-2008 congressional campaign, Jenkins was endorsed by and received campaign contributions from pro-choice Republican PACs The WISH List and Republican Majority for Choice.[39] Jenkins was referred to as "pro-choice" during the campaign and "Jenkins was endorsed by WISH List, a pro-choice Republican group."[40][41] In 2014, Jenkins was endorsed by Kansans for Life PAC.[42]

Drug policy

Jenkins has a "C-" rating from NORML for her voting history regarding cannabis-related causes. Jenkins supports veterans having access to medical marijuana if recommended by their Veterans Health Administration doctor and if it is legal for medicinal purposes in their state of residence.[43] She opposes decriminalizing medical marijuana.[35]

LGBT issues

Jenkins opposes same-sex marriage and supports Kansas legislation to make marriage only between a man and a woman. She considers it government overreach and believes states should be able to decide for themselves. She believes Kansas should include sexual orientation in anti-discrimination laws.[35] Jenkins voted against repealing the Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy, against prohibiting funds for discrimination based on sexual orientation, and against expanding hate crime laws, but she did vote in favor of the Violence Against Women Authorization which prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation; she also voted in favor of a bill to support the Defense of Marriage Act.[44]

After the Supreme Court allowed a lower court ruling to stand that struck down Kansas' ban on same-sex marriage, Jenkins said that she was going to focus on other issues. "'The Supreme Court has spoken, or not spoken in this situation,' said Rep. Lynn Jenkins, a Republican seeking her fourth term in Congress. 'So by default the court says it's not constitutional, so before too long, that will be a law.'"[45] She has a 0% rating from the Human Rights Campaign which supports same-sex marriage and LGBT rights.[46]

Electoral history

Kansas House, District 52: Results 1998[47]
Year Republican Party Votes % Democratic Party Votes %
1998 Lynn Jenkins Republican 5,550 63% Fran Lee Democratic 3,218 37%
Kansas Senate, District 20: Results 2000[48]
Year Republican Party Votes % Democratic Party Votes %
2000 Lynn Jenkins Republican 20,987 67% Jim Clark Democratic 10,187 33%
Kansas Treasurer: Results 2002–2006[49]
Year Republican Party Votes % Democratic Party Votes %
2002 Lynn Jenkins Republican 457,407 56% Sally Finney Democratic 354,157 44%
2006 Lynn Jenkins Republican 516,940 64% Larry Wilson Democratic 286,148 36%
Kansas's 2nd congressional district: Results 2008–2016[50]
Year Republican Party Votes % Democratic Party Votes % Third Party Party Votes % Third Party Party Votes %
2008 Lynn Jenkins Republican 155,532 51% Nancy Boyda Democratic 142,013 46% Leslie Martin Reform 5,080 2% Robert Garrard Libertarian 4,683 2%
2010 Lynn Jenkins Republican 130,034 63% Cheryl Hudspeth Democratic 66,588 32% Robert Garrard Libertarian 9,353 5%
2012 Lynn Jenkins Republican 131,950 61% Tobias Schlingensiepen Democratic 76,249 35% Dennis Hawver Libertarian 9,823 5%
2014 Lynn Jenkins Republican 128,742 57% Marge Wakefield Democratic 87,153 39% Christopher Clemmons Libertarian 9,791 4%
2016 Lynn Jenkins Republican 181,228 61% Britani Potter Democratic 96,840 33% James Houston Bales Libertarian 19,333 6%

Personal life

Jenkins has two children, Hayley and Hayden, and was married for 25 years. Her husband Scott filed for divorce on Friday, November 7, 2008, shortly after her election to the U.S. House.[51][52]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "2008 Unofficial Kansas Election Results". Secretary of State. State of Kansas. August 5, 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2008.
  2. ↑ Klepper, David; Sullinger, Jim; Bormann, Dawn (November 4, 2008). "Jenkins unseats Boyda; Moore, Roberts re-elected". Kansas City Star.
  3. ↑ "Maggie's List. Women's Political Action Committee. Who is Maggie's List?". MaggiesList.org. Archived from the original on June 20, 2015. Retrieved June 13, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Members - Republican Main Street Partnership". Republican Main Street Partnership. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Republican Main Street Partnership to Showcase Centrist Republican Solutions for 2008, January 21st, 2008 - Republican Main Street Partnership". Republican Main Street Partnership. September 1, 2011. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  6. ↑ Canon, Scott. Kansas Rep. Lynn Jenkins to leave Congress after this term, won’t run for governor, Kansas City Star, January 25, 2017.
  7. ↑ "The Law and Lawmakers". CanadaFreePress.com. Retrieved January 29, 2010.
  8. ↑ Tim Carpenter (April 4, 2007). "Treasurer plans run at Boyda in '08". CJOnline.com. Retrieved November 12, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Government & Politics News - The Kansas City Star". primebuzz.kcstar.com. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  10. ↑ "2014 Unofficial Kansas General Election Results". November 6, 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  11. ↑ "KS District 02 - 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  12. ↑ "KS - District 02 Race - Nov 02, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  13. ↑ "KS - District 02 Race - Nov 06, 2012". Our Campaigns. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 "Issues Archived June 25, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.." Lynn Jenkins for U.S. Congress.
  15. ↑ "Current Taxpayer Protection Pledge Signers". ATR.org. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2010.
  16. ↑ Rothschild, Scott (June 21, 2013). "Kansas representatives illustrate divide over farm bill". Lawrence Journal-World. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  17. ↑ "H.R. 4118 – Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  18. ↑ "H.R. 4118 – CBO". Congressional Budget Office. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  19. ↑ "H.R. 4935 – Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  20. ↑ "The Lugar Center - McCourt School Bipartisan Index" (PDF). The Lugar Center. March 7, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  21. ↑ Almukhtar, Sarah (December 19, 2017). "How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill". The New York Times. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  22. ↑ Carpenter, Tim. "Kansas delegation ready to deliver tax cuts". The Garden City Telegram. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  23. ↑ Long, Heather (November 30, 2017). "Analysis: Why it's such a big deal the Senate tax bill would add $1 trillion to debt". Washington Post. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  24. 1 2 Carpenter, Tim (August 27, 2009). "Jenkins' remark raises eyebrows". Topeka Capital-Journal (published August 26, 2009). Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  25. ↑ Kornreich, Lauren (August 28, 2009). "Congresswoman apologizes for 'great white hope' comment". CNN. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  26. ↑ Tommie Felts and Vickie Moss, "Jenkins vote may contradict 'great white hope' claim", Ottawa Herald, August 28, 2009. Accessed September 16, 2009.
  27. ↑ Biles, Jan (August 31, 2009). "Jenkins didn't read resolution". Topeka Capital-Journal. Topeka, KS. Retrieved September 1, 2009.
  28. ↑ "Member List". Republican Study Committee. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Members". Congressional Constitution Caucus. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Members". Congressional Western Caucus. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  32. ↑ "Kansas GOP Rep. Lynn Jenkins to retire after 5 terms". The Seattle Times. January 25, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  33. ↑ "Setback for Kansas Republicans as Rep. Lynn Jenkins won't run for governor in 2018". Washington Examiner. January 25, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  34. 1 2 3 "Lynn Jenkin's Ratings and Endorsements". votesmart.org. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  35. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  36. ↑ "Lynn Jenkins on the Issues". www.ontheissues.org. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  37. ↑ "Congresswoman Jenkins' Statement on DACA". Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  38. ↑ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  39. ↑ "Rep. Lynn Jenkins' health-care campaign contributions". Kansas City Pitch. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  40. ↑ "A New Pro-Choice Congress In 2009 - Rewire". Rewire. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  41. ↑ Swenson, Scott (September 7, 2008). "Pro-Choice GOP Win in Kansas, Kline Defeat Signal End to Social Conservatism". Huffington Post. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  42. ↑ "Kansans for Life PAC Endorses All Four Kansas U.S. Representatives for Re-election | Political Action Committee". www.voteprolife.net. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  43. ↑ "Kansas Scorecard". NORML. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  44. ↑ "Lynn Jenkins' Voting Record on Issue". votesmart.org. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  45. ↑ "Candidates say same-sex marriage is not an issue in 2nd District congressional race". LJWorld.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  46. ↑ "Congressional Scorecard | Human Rights Campaign". Human Rights Campaign. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  47. ↑ "Official 1998 Kansas General Election Results". December 1, 1998. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  48. ↑ "2000 Kansas Official General Election Results". Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  49. ↑ "2002 General Election Official Vote Totals" (PDF). Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  50. ↑ "Kansas Secretary of State - Election Statistics". KSSOS.org. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  51. ↑ "Third Judicial District Court Public Access". ShawneeCourt.org. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2010.
  52. ↑ Barbara Hollingsworth, "Lynn Jenkins' husband files for divorce," Topeka Capital-Journal, November 10, 2008. Archived November 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
Political offices
Preceded by
Tim Shallenburger		 Treasurer of Kansas
2003–2008		 Succeeded by
Dennis McKinney
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Nancy Boyda		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Kansas's 2nd congressional district
2009–present		 Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by
Cathy McMorris Rodgers		 Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference
2013–2017		 Succeeded by
Doug Collins
Current U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Duncan Hunter
R-California		 United States Representatives by seniority
168th		 Succeeded by
Leonard Lance
R-New Jersey
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